May. 29, 2007 - Have you been to the library lately?

What's happening at the Franklin Township public library

• Did you know that the public library removed the nominal charge for all videos?  They are now free to check out for video club members.
• If you suffer from sciatica, leg pain, pain in the middle of your butt, or other aches that keep you from doing what you love; then come join featured speaker, Dr. Mark Strzeminski, DC, 7 p.m.-8 p.m. June 5 at the Franklin Township Public Library, 485 DeMott Lane, Somerset.   It is a free program but pre-registration is required.
• Learn from experts how to buy, sell and ship stuff on eBay during two 1 1/2 hour sessions on Wednesday, 12:30 PM or 7:30 PM, June 20, 2007.  
• Thursday afternoons 1:30 PM-3:00 PM through June 21, 2007 the library is co-sponsoring an English conversation group with the Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County. The free progam allows new English speakers the opportunity to practice conversational language skills in a group setting. 

For additional information about these programs and more, please stop by the Reference Desk or call (732) 873-8700, Ext. 111. The Franklin Township Public Library is located at 485 DeMott Lane, Somerset, in the Franklin Township Municipal Complex. Visit the library on-line at http://www.franklintwp.org  

To get a library card you need to present a valid Driver's License with a Franklin Township address or another form of identification and one of the following: ownership deed or lease with Franklin Township address on it, PSE&G bill, telephone bill or another bill with current Franklin Township address.  A library card is available free of charge to anyone who lives or owns property in Franklin Township*, works for the municipal government, or owns a business** in Franklin Township. Children may get a library card at any age. A parent's or guardian's signature is required.

May. 28, 2007 - Memorial Day 2007

To view Faces of the Fallen Click Here

To the men and women of the US Armed forces...

Thank you for all that you do

May. 27, 2007 - Transforming lives

Saving Sao Paulo's Street Kids 

“Transforming the lives of children at mortal risk, providing them and their future generations a productive future and eternal hope” is the mission of Hope Unlimited for Children, brainchild of Americans Phillip Smith and his father Rev. Jack Smith.  The program is a three step approach of rescue, transformation, and reintegration.  There are approximately 7 million children living on the streets of Brazil whose survival rate is only three to four years. 

After years of lending personal financial support, recently I was blessed with making (what will become) my first visit to a remarkable place located near Campinas, Brazil.  Campinas is approximately 1.5 hours drive, north of Sao Paulo. This safe haven is currently giving 180 boys and 60 girls a sense of self-worth, a structured family setting, life-skills and introduces each to our Heavenly Father.  I witnessed young lives being transformed from hopelessness into hope. The kids are mentored even after leaving the campus at the age of eigthteen and moving into transitional housing.  You, too, can make a positive difference in the lives of these kids...if only one at a time. 

I got to meet several boys, including Artemis and Jefferson, who proudly showed contents of the very organized closets which held their worldly possessions.  Each group home houses 16 boys along with house parents.  A councilor commented how the closets correlated with issues in the boys' daily lives.  When problems arise it becomes noticeable how the closet becomes disorganized.   

My short visit was amazing in more ways than one.  Phillip told his personal story and that of a young boy who he first met while growing up in Ethiopia where his father began taking in street kids and housing them in their back yard.  One of those kids is the father of  Amos Disasa.  Well, I had just met Amos outside a classroom who had become a pastor at the Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina.  Amos and members of the church congregation were revisiting the campus after 10 years.  It was the Eastminster Church that spearheaded the acquisition of the girls' group homes at Hope Unlimited.  The girls are transported to the Boys' City to attend classes and return nightly to a protected and beautiful home shared by 13 others, per household, in addition to a house mom.

Learn more about the daily miracles taking place at Hope Unlimited and how you can help by going to www.hopeunlimited.org or contact me directly at mjadams@century21.com

Other Links: Hope Enterprises; NBC Nightly News; Share with a Friend

May. 25, 2007 - Do it yourself mold testing

Some self-test kits are a waste of money

Last  month's storm and area flooding may leave some home owners with a lasting problem of mold.  You have reason to be concerned if there's a musty smell; or if you see something growing. To grow, mold needs moisture, oxygen and an organic surface. Common areas include sheetrock walls, wallpaper, carpeting and wood.

Some do-it-yourself mold test kits are a simple and inexpensive way to uncover a mold problem. But choose carefully, as others are a waste of your money, says mold specialist David C. Straus, a professor of microbiology at Texas Tech University. The simplest and most effective tests, he says, are those that rely on a piece of adhesive to transfer a mold sample to a Petri dish filled with a nourishing growth medium. After the mold grows, the user sends it to a lab where it is identified and evaluated. The lab also provides advice on removal. Cost is about $50. Tests that purport to capture mold from the air are not worth the money, Strauss says, because most homes have a significant amount of mold spores that fly in from the outdoors but don’t grow in the house.  Source: The Wall Street Journal, Laura Johannes (05/22/07) 

For more information, the Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home"

May. 23, 2007 - Fighting Mad

Homeowner Associations Under Fire

Angry members of homeowners' associations complained at a conference Monday that the elected boards governing their communities can behave like draconian governments.

At the forum, Seton Hall University Law Professor Paula Franzese said, "Transparency must be the norm." She quipped that the salutation has gone from "How are you doing, neighbor?" to "What are you doing, neighbor?"

Competing bills have been proposed in the state Legislature, but state Sens. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, and Robert Martin, R-Morris, did not predict when they will be brought up for votes.

Read the entire Daily Record article here

May. 18, 2007 - Viurtual Tours

Tips for preparing your home to be photographed

I just came across a great source of information for sellers who will have their home photgraphed for MLS listings and virtual tours.   The site is called All About Virtual Tours.  You don't need to have your home staged for great results, but there are things you must do to make it stand out from the crowd.

Here are a few examples of tips you will find:

Vehicles need to be out of the driveway one-half hour before the appointment

Valuables not included in the sale of the home should be out of view

Shower/bath items should be placed under the sink.

First impressions are everything.   The goal is to help your property outshine the competition

Kudos to Dawn Shaffer

May. 16, 2007 - New Pressures on Home Buyers

 Driven by increasing mortgage delinquencies, mortgage lenders are taking a deeper look at credit history, raising minimum credit score requirements and scrutinizing what the property is worth.  Add to these pressures the effects of rising gasoline prices on household budgets and the results are fewer qualified home buyers.

The tighter lending standards are making mortgages harder to get which is adding demands on an already soft housing market.  This added scrutiny is being applied to even those borrowers with good credit.  According to the Wall Street Journal, “Mortgage lenders say they are tightening standards in response from mortgage insurers, investment banks and investors who buy mortgage-backed securities.”

Some lenders are even going online to check that properties are as described; using sites such as craigslist.com to ensure that vacation home is not a rental property, which would make the loan riskier.  If self employed, lenders will Google you and look for a business license. 

There is a bright spot on the home mortgage front.  Bank of America recently launched a no-fee mortgage aimed at home buyers in hopes that it can boost market share despite slowing demand.  For more details go to www.bankofamerica.com.

 Added economic pressures on household budgets are the rising New Jersey gasoline prices hovering near $3.00 per gallon. These higher prices, annually, can suck thousands of extra dollars out of the pockets of potential home buyers, making qualifying for a home loan harder to attain.  News sources predict the high prices are here to stay.  Check out scambusters.org to learn 16 Easy Tips to Save Money on Gas Prices  

May. 13, 2007 - First-class stamp price incease

The Forever stamp

Touted as the Forever stamp, this US postage stamp bought at 41 cents will remain a valid first-class stamp...well, forever!  The stamp will ease the transition for mailing letters when prices change by reducing the need to buy one and two cent stamps.

Once prices change May 14, the Forever stamp will remain on sale at the 41 cent first-class one-ounce letter price until the next price change. Then the Forever stamp will be available at the new price.  The new stamp is available now in booklets of 20 through www.usps.com, by calling 1-800-STAMP-24 and in Post Office lobbies nationwide.

May. 11, 2007 - The Somerset County Challenge

Lose ten pounds in ten weeks!

The challenge is on.  Somerset County, in cooperation with Somerset Medical Center announces a free program and challenge to lose ten pounds in ten weeks.  Registration is required and weigh-in sessions will be held from May 21 to 25 at Somerset Medical Center's Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Center at the Commerce Bank Ballpark on East Main Street in Bridgewater.

Each participant gets a gift bag with healthy lifestyle tips and discounts from sponsors, including reduced rates for gym memberships.  Lose ten pounds and be eligible for other prizes.

For more information or to register for the challenge, visit www.somersetsportsperformance.com.

May. 9, 2007 - News you can use

May Highlights

1. Older Americans Month

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy designated May as a month to pay tribute to older Americans.

Check out some interesting facts about the 65-and-older set, which totals 36.8 million Americans:

• It is estimated that 9 million are military veterans.
• At 3.9 million, California has the highest number of 65-and-older residents (Florida is the runner-up with 3 million).
• Between 2000 and 2050, the 65-and-older population is expected to increase by 147% (in comparison, the population as a whole is expected to increase by 49%).
• For additional facts on older Americans, visit USA.gov's link to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Visit USA.gov’s Senior Citizens’ Resources for a range of government information and services, including consumer protection, health, housing, money, and travel.

© 2007 USPS. All Rights Reserved.

2. Postage Rates and Forever Stamp

Starting on May 14, 2007, U.S. postage will cost 41 cents for a First-Class letter and 26 cents for a First-Class postcard.

Another change at the U.S. Postal Service is the introduction of the Forever Stamp, featuring the Liberty Bell. The Forever Stamp will reduce the need to buy 1- and 2-cent stamps because it will be good for mailing one-ounce First-Class letters anytime in the future—even if postage rates further increase.

Visit USA.gov's link to the United States Postal Service for information about new rates for various types of domestic and international mail for both consumers and businesses.

Check out some facts about mothers in the United States:

• 2.1: average number of children women have in their lifetime
• July: most popular month to have a baby
• 55%: percentage of 15- to 44-year-olds who are mothers
• 1 in 31: odds of having twins

For additional Mother’s Day facts, visit USA.gov’s link to the U.S. Census Bureau.

• Meaning of Memorial Day
• Patriotic Melodies
• Veterans Stories
• Barbecue Food Safety
• And much more!  

You can read the publication online or order a FREE copy today.

May. 8, 2007 - Free Skin Cancer Screening

Call the Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Group

The Department of Dermatology at the Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Group will hold a free skin cancer screening for the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 12. Regular screenings are essential because skin cancer, the most common form of cancer, has a 95 percent cure rate, if detected early. Screenings will include a visual inspection of the patient's entire body, in addition to questions regarding family history and sun exposure and protection. Patients also will be provided educational materials about skin cancer, self-examinations and sun safety.

The screenings will take place at 1 World's Fair Dr., Suite 2400, Somerset. The screening is free, however registration is required by calling (732) 235-5782.

May. 8, 2007 - April Residential Sales

Franklin Township Residential Sales

The month of April ended with 61 Franklin Township private residences sold with an average of 68 days on the market and receiving 97% of the listing price. 

The month also ended with 555 active listings which remained on the market. This is a reduction of 228 properties.

If you have a question about a specific property, or stats for surrounding areas, please do not hesitate to contact me.  

AREA MARKET ANALYSIS REPORT - BY TOWN, BEDROOMS (Month To Date)

SEARCH CRITERIA County Code: 27 Town Code: 2708 Period 1: 4/2007 Period 2: 4/2007

BY TOWN: Franklin Twp. (2708)

#Beds Active Listings New Listings Under Contract Sold Listings SP/LP   # Avg. LP Med. LP # Avg. LP Med. LP # Avg. LP Med. LP Avg. DOM # Avg. SP Med. SP Avg. DOM   0 0 00 00 0 00 00 0 00 00 0 0 00 00 0 0% 1 5 214,720 182,900 1 325,000 325,000 0 00 00 0 0 00 00 0 0% 2 181 303,345 289,900 44 293,615 289,800 28 267,231 264,900 67 24 258,900 245,100 69 97% 3 171 373,730 349,900 47 359,190 335,000 13 346,523 339,900 77 21 336,114 335,000 67 96% 4 163 522,071 459,777 45 476,868 444,900 19 468,884 417,900 55 14 471,814 399,900 64 98% 5+ 35 671,394 569,900 5 679,380 649,500 3 496,233 529,000 27 2 531,250 440,500 102 97% TOWN 555 411,682 357,500 142 387,197 348,900 63 355,314 325,000 64 61 343,277 312,000 68 97%

ALL TOWNS 555 411,682   142 387,197   63 355,314   64 61 343,277   68 97%

© Copyright, Garden State MLS, L.L.C. **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.** MICHAEL ADAMS

May. 2, 2007 - Open House

You are invited to join me

A Fabulous 3 BR/1.5 Bath Colonial

Open House

Sunday May 6, 2007

1-4 PM

164 Willow Avenue Ext

North Plainfield, NJ 07063

Priced at only $359,000

EVERYTHING IS NEW in this completely updated colonial with fabulous upgrades.  Features include: central AC • refinished wood floors throughout • new eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, new cabinets and appliances • wood burning fireplace • freshly painted bedrooms, bath, and finished basement with new tiled floor • screened porch • large corner lot • in-ground pool with cabana and patio.  This is a great home.

Directions:  Route 22 to West End Avenue right on Willow Avenue Ext. House is across from Green Brook Park

Contact: Michael J. Adams • Realtor/Sales Associate • Century 21 Our Town Realty •Tel:  732828-3700 Ext.306     

 Email: mjadams@century21.com   • www.mjAdamsSellsHomes.com

May. 1, 2007 - Jury Duty and identity theft

Scam attempts to get your personal information

This scam is not new, but it is real.  The Somerset County Sheriff warns of a telephone scam where the criminal calls your home pretending to be a court official. The criminal informs you in a threatening manner that there is a warrant for your arrest because you failed to show for jury duty.  Somerset County officials will never ask jurors for personal information over the phone.

The caller will claim to be a jury coordinator.  An attempt to gain your confidence by assisting you with the matter will be made. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the criminal asks for your social security number and date of birth in order to verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant.

Do not give out any information to anyone posing as a member of the jury system.

The FBI and the Federal Court System have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites warning consumers about the fraud.  For more information visit the FBI Web site at www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel05/092805.htm

May. 1, 2007 - Clean and organize your garage

It’s that time again; time for the annual spring cleaning ritual.  If your home is on the market, or will be soon, why not take the extra effort to go beyond the house and venture into the garage?   

A tidy, well-organized, multi-purpose garage can become a selling point when you put your home on the market. On top of that, some say that improvements in this room may actually increase a home's value.  Even if it doesn’t increase the selling price, it could be that extra amenity which generates an offer. 

Get started by following four easy steps, outlined by Amy Hoak, MarketWatch writer, to clean up and maintain your garage:

1.  Take Inventory - Before buying a single organization product, know what's in the garage to begin with. And start removing items that aren't needed.

2.  Think In Zones - To find the best place to store objects, separate them by use. For instance, sporting equipment should have its own space, as should outdoor lawn-care items and car-washing supplies.

3.  Shop for Supplies - After creating a plan of where items will be placed, start thinking about what organization supplies might be best to hold them.

4.  Keep it clean - Clean up every three months or so once the job is complete.

Get the full details here

Check these other tips:  New products for your garage and "The One-Minute Organizer"